Sorrento
Soul & Fish has a hipper vibe than Marina Grande’s no-nonsense seafood restaurants. Your bread comes in a bag, your dessert might come in a Kilner jar and…
Must-see restaurants in Southern Italy
Salina
For some of Santa Marina's best seafood head for this restaurant with a terrace overlooking the harbour, run by the same family since 1978. In low season,…
Procida
Along this unpretentious marina with its old fishing boats, piled fishing nets and haughty cats, half-a-dozen fine restaurants call out like mythological…
Salerno
This place, tucked behind the cathedral, has that winning combination of an earthy and inviting atmosphere and unfailingly good, delicately composed…
Otranto
A modern update on a traditional friggitoria, SoFish features excellent fried seafood, good salads – the one with huge slabs of seared tuna almost…
Lipari
With its serene garden setting, low lighting, tile-topped tables and exquisite food – from tuna carpaccio with blood oranges and capers for dinner to…
Positano
Sporting summery pastel hues and a seafront terrace, La Cambusa is on the front line, which, given the number of cash-rich tourists in these parts, could…
Tyrrhenian Coast
Perched at 1600m, near the base of the Mufara ski slope, this rustic year-round restaurant is Piano Battaglia's perennial favourite spot to indulge in…
Salina
With a sunny terrace overlooking the vineyards and the sea at Malfa's southern edge, this relaxed trattoria serves up superbly rendered Sicilian classics…
Vieste
Located in a limestone cave dating back around 1000 years, Al Dragone is Vieste's classiest fine-dining restaurant. Local produce and ingredients…
Reggio Calabria
Local Calabrian flavours shine at this friendly and informal spot where the menu changes regularly on a seasonal basis. Meaty favourites like Calabrian…
Bari
Just maybe Puglia's freshest raw seafood – including squid, oysters and briny sea urchins – is served outside at simple tables by Bari's wise-cracking…
Amalfi
Run by the third generation of the same family, this savvy beachfront favourite serves fish so fresh it's almost flapping. It prides itself on the use of…
Bari
Top-notch salads and panini sandwiches crammed with local products including octopus, ham, buffalo mozzarella cheese and pistachios make Mastro Ciccio a…
Promontorio del Gargano
A superb restaurant with a barrel-vault interior, central courtyard and a menu that includes traditional dishes like orecchiette with cime di rape (bitter…
Lecce
The couple behind Baldo Gelato make the best gelato in Lecce, hands down. The dark chocolate may be the most intensely chocolatey thing you've ever put in…
Matera
The paradoxical bounty of Lucania's cucina povera is laid out before you in this stone cellar in Sasso Caveoso. For a fantastic introduction to a range of…
Naples
Veteran pizzeria Da Michele continues to keep things plain and simple: unadorned marble tabletops, brisk service and two types of pizza – margherita or…
Naples
Gragnano pasta, Agerola pork, salsiccia rossa di Castelpoto (cured pork sausage with toasted peppers) and conciato romano (regional cheese made with cow's…
Catania
For over 50 years, chef Rosanna (yes, that's her in Jamie Oliver's TV series Jamie Cooks Italy) has been recreating her great-grandmother's recipes,…
Naples
Its name in green neon, this wood-panelled octogenarian celebrates tradition with quick-witted veteran waiters, faithful regulars and a roaming Neapolitan…
Agropoli
At the city-centre end of the promenade, no-fuss Anna has been a local favourite for decades. Family-run, with a B&B upstairs, it's best known for its…
Sorrento Peninsula
Ask any local buongustaio (foodie) where to get the best cornetto (croissant) and chances are you'll get directed to this modern, piazza-side cafe. In…
Naples
Nonna Anna may have gone to the great kitchen in the sky, but her loud, tiled lunch spot kicks on. Hidden at the back of a market arcade, Cibi Cotti…
Milazzo
Specialising in locally sourced 'km0' cuisine, this intriguing restaurant serves up creative dishes built around sometimes obscure ingredients, with vegan…
Sorrento Peninsula
Sunday lunches in Sorrento homes often conclude with a tray of treats from Romano, considered one of the area's top pasticcerie (pastry shops). Scan the…
Enna
Enna foodies know all about this simple village eatery, a 24km drive southeast of Enna. Lorded over by head chef Lillo Serra, its shtick is honest,…
Trapani
What with the giant pasta pictures splashed above the white-tiled open kitchen and the photo-loaded tablet provided alongside printed menus, it's…
Capri
Dating back to 1931, this is the island’s most famous traditional trattoria and a long-time favourite on the celebrity circuit. Set up to look like a…
Naples
Colourful, technically impressive and ridiculously cute, Mario Di Costanzo's sweet treats are what Instagram dreams are made of. The young pastry chef…
Naples
Spruced-up with retro-style tiles and vintage-style lamps, this perennially popular stalwart serves unfussed, soul-coaxing Neapolitan grub. Standout…
Sorrento
Now for something completely different. At first glance the menu here looks more Californian than Campanian, with imaginative salads such as spicy…
Pompeii
Inspired by their mother Rosa's cooking, twins Alberto and Vincenzo Fortunato are the force behind this warm, good-value restaurant. The kitchen revels in…
Bay of Naples
Whether you're after an inspired meal or a simple glass of vino, this refined yet relaxed osteria (casual tavern) is a solid choice. The wine list is…
Naples
Biancomangiare gives the classic trattoria a subtle modern makeover, its vintage photographs and pale-blue wooden chairs mixing it with low-slung filament…
Cilento Coast
Follow the signs from Pisciotta's sweeping Piazza Raffaele Pinto to this restaurant in a star setting, its long, wide terrace overlooking the pine…
Taormina
With only a handful of tables (book ahead), this generous, Slow Food–acclaimed trattoria offers a level of creativity and attention to detail generally…
Pompeii
Sofì hits the spot with cheap, tasty Neapolitan street food like rustic panino napoletano, a doughy roll stuffed with cheese and salami. Other options…
Naples
Gigi Grasso's loud and lively Eat & Drink sees everyone from pierced students to bespectacled professori squeeze around the communal tables for delicious…
Mediterranean Coast
A friendly neighborhood osteria (casual tavern), Salvatore Ciaccio's 'Grappolo' embraces the Slow Food aesthetic: carefully chosen local ingredients…
